Jingle Bells, Furnace Smells …

December 1, 2020

Jingle bells, furnace smells … Robin laid an egg? Yes, it’s actually not uncommon to have a furnace that smells like rotten eggs.

But we know it’s certainly not the gift you wanted for the holidays. So here at Parker & Sons, we are going to help you get to the bottom of it!

Burning

A little bit of a burning smell when you first turn on your furnace for the year can be normal. This is because, since your furnace hasn’t been used for a year, the heat exchanger has become dusty. So, you may smell burning as the dust burns! However, if the burning smell still lasts after the first 24 hours of having your furnace on, then turn off the furnace at the shut-off valve. Turn off your gas as well. Then, contact us to let us know. Your furnace should not smell like it’s overheating, and the problem could actually be melting components or an electrical problem with your furnace / your heat pump … definitely not something to wait around on!

Musty/Moldy

This is a sign that mold or mildew could either be in some part of your furnace / heat pump, or in your ducts. It sounds gross, and it certainly is! We know that mold is not the most common problem in homes here in Phoenix, because it’s not that humid here. But monsoon season can make things humid, and the idea that mold can’t grow in your Arizona home is a dangerous one! So, if there’s a musty, moldy smell in your vents, look into it before it becomes a respiratory problem for you and your family.

Rotten Eggs

Lastly, let’s deal with that rotten egg smell! As you can probably imagine, different furnace smells indicate distinct problems. If your house smells like rotten eggs, this could be the most dangerous type of smell of all, because it is a sign of a gas leak. Especially if the smell is stronger near your furnace, get all household members out immediately. You should call your gas company, and your HVAC tech, after that. Despite our cute jingle bell rhymes up above, there is nothing funny about this smell! You can always rely on Parker & Sons to “sniff out” all your furnace problems this holiday season.

The only smell you should be smelling is the wonderful aroma of cookies baking! If you experience this problem, or any other concerning HVAC issues, contact us and schedule an appointment!